664381 Tue Nov 03 10:10:56 -0800 2009 44 18 Manhattan 0 5152246 I am a firm believer that the EV has the best food scene in NY and i've made it my personal mission to try and sample as many of the great places this neighborhood has to offer as possible. I've made some decent ground on all of the well known, typically recommended places, but now i'm looking for those places that fall just below the radar but are still worth a visit. One's that aren't analyzed to death on Eater or even really mentioned much on SE or CH. Any thoughts? Tue Nov 03 10:10:56 -0800 2009 80751 MinhLikesFood 1 5152275 Any examples of what you're looking for? Tue Nov 03 10:19:28 -0800 2009 5152246 10936 kathryn 2 5152387 I guess some places I've enjoyed that I feel like aren't really well known are Kafana, Anyway Cafe, Jimmy's no 43. Actually I guess Jimmy's is pretty popular but I can never stop recommending it enough. Wechsler's and Resto Leon too. Anywhere that is particularly amazing makes the rounds, but i'm just looking for very serviceable places where on a Friday/Saturday night you'll be able to get a table pretty quickly. Tue Nov 03 10:48:20 -0800 2009 5152275 80751 MinhLikesFood 1 5152404 Mayahuel on E 6th. It's gotten some press, but it is certainly still UTR in terms of Manhattan folks. I think that's because they are making nichey tequila and mezcal drinks, and serving classic Mexican street food. This is not for everyone, but is certainly for ME. Woo hoo! Tue Nov 03 10:53:48 -0800 2009 5152246 1115082 stalkingwine.com 1 5152554 A good friend of mine seems to have similar taste as you, and keeps a list of his EV favorites here: http://www.kartme.com/phil/nyc-best-east-village-lower-east-side You might like some of them! Tue Nov 03 11:42:29 -0800 2009 5152246 1112845 saj1139 1 5153064 Agreed on Jimmy's 43 as an EV sleeper pick. That place isn't just a bar, it's a community college for hedonists. Esperanto for a good time, food not amazing but a great scene and its cheap. Royale for burgers, their spot has been blown up recently though. Tree for a nice bistro meal, love the short ribs. Desnuda for wine + ceviche + truffle oil popcorn - good date spot. www.immaculateinfatuation.com Tue Nov 03 14:05:55 -0800 2009 5152246 286629 iFat 2 5153150 Thanks for all the recs, I haven't had the food at Mayahuel yet so i'll be sure to stop by there. Desnuda too. Tue Nov 03 14:30:28 -0800 2009 5153064 80751 MinhLikesFood 3 5153380 Not confident about what's over and under the radar, but I'd recommend Back Forty, Belcourt, the Ukrainian restaurant, Dirt Candy if you can enjoy creative vegetarian, Kasadela (Japanese izakaya), and recently opened Mark (sliders on St Marks). You will have to wait for a table at Back Forty on a Friday/Saturday prime time, Dirt Candy should be reserved, the others are quite doable. Tue Nov 03 15:47:36 -0800 2009 5153150 10475 Wilfrid 4 5153408 Wilfrid, Dirt Candy reminded me of Graffiti. We need to get back to Belcourt. Simple bistro fare. Love their fried scallions. Tue Nov 03 15:57:22 -0800 2009 5153380 73159 financialdistrictresident 4 5154517 Completely agree with the Mark recomendation. Everyone's talking about Bill's right now but I think Mark really makes a great slider. Wed Nov 04 06:19:23 -0800 2009 5153380 80751 MinhLikesFood 5 5154565 People are talking about Bill's because the hype machine is working overtime. Wed Nov 04 06:37:54 -0800 2009 5154517 10162 Bob Martinez 2 5154828 i must respectfully and emphatically disagree with you on royale. went there with a party of 12 people last month. every single person thought the burgers bordered on inedible and everyone who ate the beef had stomach issues the following day. i cannot offer a stronger recommendation to avoid royale at all costs. Wed Nov 04 08:05:22 -0800 2009 5153064 50017 El Tigre 3 5155337 I can't understand why Belcourt is popular. The food was good but our waitress was incredibly rude and slow. Maybe she's new? Absolutely love Esperanto, Kasadela, Desnuda and Tree. I'll also add Kampuchea, though further South (not sure how literal people are on EV/LES) I've got Jimmy's No. 43 on my wish list along with Dirt Candy! http://www.StrumErika.com Wed Nov 04 10:11:45 -0800 2009 5154828 21862 foodie4life 4 5157944 I've been to Belcourt 4 times and never had a service problem. The servers don't fawn over you but they're thoroughly professional. The menu is a mixed bag. The lamb burger is outstanding, as are the accompanying fries. My girlfriend swears the octopus starter is excellent. That said, a pork belly starter (since taken off the menu) wasn't particularly good. The raviolo starter (also removed from the menu) was lackluster. On the positive side the wine list, which tilted towards pricey, has since been balanced by a number of attractive choices under $40. It's definitely worth a visit. Thu Nov 05 08:16:43 -0800 2009 5155337 10162 Bob Martinez 3 5155999 I am shocked to hear this about Royale. I have eaten there more thn 15 times and absolutely love the burgers. Perfect size and great grilles flavor. So sorry to hear of your experience. It must have been an off night because everyone I send there loves it. Sitting out in the backyard with a burger and a beer in the summer is one of my favorite nights. Wed Nov 04 13:21:41 -0800 2009 5154828 79984 princeofpork 4 5156069 i had heard so many good things and was psyched to go but everything was just really bad, not just the burgers but the beer tasted funny, like the hadn't cleaned the lines in a while, i didn't like the fries, and the over all intense bar vibe was just a bit much. i guess i could see the appeal (not in the food but the bar itself) for some people but i will defintely not be re-visiting . on a more positive note, a place just below the EV in LES that i would highly recommend and absolutely describe as a hidden gem is Le French Diner, aka Zucco- DEE-LISCIOUS! Wed Nov 04 13:42:34 -0800 2009 5155999 50017 El Tigre 3 5158859 Wow. I've never had a bad meal at Royale! I totally suggest Casimir, Kasadela, Minca, Kafana & Luke's Lobster... Thu Nov 05 12:52:06 -0800 2009 5154828 15385 thursdayclubjason 1 5156033 Grape and Grain, a wine and small plates spot; a bit out of the way, so not so busy that you can't generally find a table, but busy enough to be a pleasant atmosphere Wed Nov 04 13:32:06 -0800 2009 5152246 77038 orthorunner 1 5156077 Try Giano on East 7th Street, Romantic venue with very good Italian food. A hidden gem. Wed Nov 04 13:44:53 -0800 2009 5152246 97984 Will4Food 2 5156186 Yeah, I love this place. It's on a great food block so I think it gets overshadowed. But the place is really cozy, and the prices are pretty low compared to quality. Giano definitely doesn't get enough love on CH. Wed Nov 04 14:18:10 -0800 2009 5156077 94227 egit 3 5157750 I've walked by Giano so many times but always got weirded out by how empty it was. The place does look great but could never bring myself to go in. Glad to hear it's worth it. Thu Nov 05 07:07:59 -0800 2009 5156186 80751 MinhLikesFood 4 5157819 If you walk by it in the summer and it looks empty, it could be because everyone's out in the garden. Thu Nov 05 07:31:28 -0800 2009 5157750 94227 egit 1 5157967 I don't think that it qualifies as under the radar anymore, but Carcas Arepas is so delicious. Thu Nov 05 08:24:48 -0800 2009 5152246 75862 newfoodie 2 5158087 They're also insanely busy. The last time we stopped by there were lines out the door at 7:00 on a Saturday. Get there early or be prepared to wait a long time. Thu Nov 05 09:06:06 -0800 2009 5157967 10162 Bob Martinez 1 5158204 Mancora. Thu Nov 05 09:45:30 -0800 2009 5152246 28969 D...DF 2 5164072 I'm trying to remember if you ever mentioned what you like there, other than the pollo a la brasa. I like that but haven't been impressed with anything else. Sat Nov 07 17:17:44 -0800 2009 5158204 17058 Pan 3 5167049 The chicken is phenomenal. Also the tamales (ask if they have any green ones available), antichuchos, parihuela (seafood soup), chicken soup, and ceciche de mariscos. Mon Nov 09 09:01:20 -0800 2009 5164072 28969 D...DF 4 5168365 Thanks for the recs, but I think the chicken is merely good, not phenomenal. The last time I got anticuchos there, they were burnt - I mean, really carbonized. I haven't ordered them since. But that was some time ago. Mon Nov 09 15:38:43 -0800 2009 5167049 17058 Pan 5 5178722 Sorry to hear that. Anticuchos need to bleed! Fri Nov 13 09:06:25 -0800 2009 5168365 28969 D...DF 1 5159051 Lived in EV for 8 yrs. These are my faves in no order (at least ones that shouldn't be too bad on Fri/Sat nite): Tree - good value, Brick Lane - probably the best spot on curry row, Minca on 5th, Lavagna across from Minca, - eaten there about 20 times but can only vouch for the rigatoni w/fennel, sausage & peas, amazing!, Luke's - one of my new favorites, Porchetta, Casimir - pretty servicable steak frites, Itzocan - really tiny spot that does kinda rustic mexican, I Coppi, Pizza Gruppo - great pie. Thu Nov 05 13:54:22 -0800 2009 5152246 1116068 keejam 1 5161006 Lived here for 4 years - definitely the best food area in the city. Some of the below have been mentioned and some not. I find them all to be excellent after dining at all of them very, very many times. Barbone - Italian Café Cortadito - Cuban Royale - Burger Grain & Grape - Wine/beer gastropub Against the Grain - Wine/beer gastropub Minca - Ramen Yerba Buena - Latin Cafe Mogador - Moroccan Porchetta - Italian The redhead - Southern Fri Nov 06 09:27:09 -0800 2009 5152246 24323 oliver_selwyn 2 5162127 Going to Yerba Buena tomorrow night for the first time. Any recommendations? Fri Nov 06 15:11:59 -0800 2009 5161006 119715 lucyj 2 5163862 wow, tried the redhead, really great food. fried chicken is amazing and the low country shrimp is equally great. tasty and reasonable, great atmosphere and nice waitstaff. gonna have to try the bacon peanut brittle next time. Sat Nov 07 15:11:57 -0800 2009 5161006 120795 cocoman 3 5163927 NB the "brittle" isn't really a hard sheet of candy like you'd expect, more like sugared and spiced party mix. Tasty but slightly confusing. Sat Nov 07 15:48:00 -0800 2009 5163862 10936 kathryn 2 5179540 Second Grape & Grain. Adding: Tai Thai, Flea Market Cafe (nice brunch) www.thelunchbelle.com Fri Nov 13 13:02:37 -0800 2009 5161006 110996 LeahBaila 1 5164247 if you dont mind heading a little further south Bar Basso on Elizabeth St Sat Nov 07 19:00:35 -0800 2009 5152246 108239 foody1964 2 5164597 I'm unfamiliar with the place. What do you recommend there? (Which cross streets, by the way?) Sun Nov 08 02:19:43 -0800 2009 5164247 17058 Pan 3 5168449 I think foody1964 is referring to Bar Bossa, which is a Brazilian bar/restaurant in Nolita on Elizabeth (between Houston & Prince). They serve comfort food and have a great bar for drinks. I personally think the food is pretty decent for the price, but not go-out-of-my-way good. As for the OP's question, I would suggest Uminoie, a Japanese restaurant in the EV that serves comfort food in a low-key setting. They also have a pretty extensive shochu+sake list. Mon Nov 09 16:13:53 -0800 2009 5164597 118675 NYAngeleno 4 5178738 i actually had what was by far and wide the absolute worst dining experience i've ever had in new york at Uminoie. have cringed every time i've heard the name ever since... Fri Nov 13 09:10:43 -0800 2009 5168449 50017 El Tigre 5 5179505 I just walked by that place last night and was completely intrigued by it. That bad, huh? The menu was surely off the beaten path, I was hoping they'd be able to pull it off. Fri Nov 13 12:48:28 -0800 2009 5178738 80751 MinhLikesFood 5 5183933 Hmm, I think tastes are subjective, but "absolute worst dining experience" is a pretty strong phrase. What did you try and what did you not like about it? I think it's a nice low-key place with very homey food. The appetizers are decent but not amazing, but I've tried many things on their menu, and I like the entrees. I particularly like the nikujaga (beef stew), Japanese meat balls with egg on top, and the goto udon (which is different from a lot of other udon bowls in the city). I've gone several times, and the food's been pretty good, with the exception of the last time ( a few weeks ago), where it was more bland than I remember (as if they had not added enough salt). I chalked that up to a one-time blip rather than a general decline, though others might correct me. Also, generally the dishes are $8-$12, which is pretty good for NY. Sun Nov 15 16:15:54 -0800 2009 5178738 118675 NYAngeleno 3 5183390 Pan, Bar Basso is on Elizabeth between Houston and Prince. Some fav items are codfish and potatoe app., grilled calamari app. basil tomatoe soup, a fish stew, and a variety of nice panini's- grilled properly with a little side salad. Apparently they have awesome french toast. Dessert--tapioca pudding with bruleed bananas--sssooo good. Sangria is average but other nice cocktails. Even at a busy hour they have lovely service. Sun Nov 15 11:54:19 -0800 2009 5164597 108239 foody1964 1 5165786 Based on this post we went to Mayahuel for dinner on Sat night. Has to wait about 30 min or 4 of us to get inside. However, once inside it was another 30 min for a table. The service was pretty inattentive but the drinks were excellent and nice size. The food was quite tasty and the portion were slightly small but right where they should be for the price. 2 of us has the hanger steak which had great flavor and supper tender texture. We also had the lobster cerviche and the pallea. Both dishes were excellent and well presented. The food was certainly good and the prices made it even better. The only issue was the spotty service and cramped conditions. Probably would not go back again unless during the week or off hours. Sun Nov 08 16:42:54 -0800 2009 5152246 79984 princeofpork 1 5183758 I love Wechsler's! To this great list I would add: Decibel, Three of Cups, Downtown Bakery (very casual Mexican), Paprika, Yummy House (casual Chinese), Yokocho Village, Quantum Leap (veggie), Mama's (BYOB!), Mara's, May's & Sigiri (Sri Lankan). For diner/casual B&H and Stage are amazing - not under the radar but so good! Sun Nov 15 14:48:22 -0800 2009 5152246 259393 Jacquelyn 2 5183789 Oops forgot to mention my all time east village fav Lucien. I've been countless times and have never tasted any entree less than perfection. The duck magret & confit with figs is probably my favorite dish in NYC. Sun Nov 15 15:00:57 -0800 2009 5183758 259393 Jacquelyn